A raccoon found in Rhinebeck, New York, has tested positive for rabies, the Dutchess County Department of Health confirmed. The animal was brought to Rhinebeck Animal Hospital on October 1 after displaying unusual behavior on a local roadway.
Health officials are seeking the individuals who transported the raccoon to the hospital, as they left without providing contact information or details about where the animal was found. The agency is attempting to assess potential exposure to rabies and provide appropriate treatment guidance.
Anyone who has had recent direct contact with a raccoon in the Rhinebeck area, or whose domestic animal has done so, should contact the Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 during business hours or (845) 320-1656 after hours and weekends. Immediate medical attention following potential exposure to rabies is crucial to prevent symptoms from developing, according to health officials.
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, and the virus is typically transmitted through animal saliva via bites or scratches.